I've been on Pradaxa since last Oct. It does cause me stomach upset and I had to go on Pepcid also to counteract it. I hate needles, so I'm so glad not to have the regular blood checks. I asked if my mom could go on it and her cardio said they don't recommend it for people >75 just as yogacat said.
There is no antidote for Pradaxa, unlike Warfarin. That is one drawback.

My GP put me on Pradaxa less than a month ago - I had been getting by with a baby aspirin but the afib episodes were happening pretty often so he thought it was time for something stronger. No side effects that I can tell, nor interactions with all the other RXs I take. It was scary getting on it but I feel better about my stroke "resistance".
Funny story: I'm visiting my mon at her assisted living facility and a gentleman today at breakfast told me his wife died from afib. After my heart restarted, I asked for details. She had Altzheimer's and hadn't taken her wayfarin for three months and had a stroke. I felt much better about Pradaxa!

I had been on full strength aspirin and because afib was happening so much they decided Pradaxa for now. It's been almost a month and no problems at all. Unfortunately, my EP is switching me to Coumadin in 2 weeks in preparation for my ablation. I guess that he likes coumadin better for the procedure because as someone said there is no antidote and if something were to happen... well, you know I guess it's better to be safe when one is having a heart procedure.

I pay $20 per month and have Empire BC/BS. Good luck with it!

Carol Zhu: What anticoagulant do you take? You have to look close at that observational study:

The oldest patients may experience severe bleeds, resulting in harm rather than benefit. Underlying causal factors may be overdose, interactions, or altered renal clearance. That's the population with the Pradaxa problems.

The data are not entirely unexpected, since the bleeding complications of dabigatran are well known and physicians are more likely to report adverse events associated with new drugs.

The drug that dabigatran was designed to replace, warfarin (Coumadin), was the second most reported drug, and has been high on the FDA list for many years. Many doctors stopped reporting the adverse effects.

The report suggested Pradaxa caused strokes... it prevents them in people who are prone to strokes (afib sufferers).

Pradaxa is superior to Warfarin (Coumadin) in preventing ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, and although it acounts for more stomach bleeds than Warfarin, it causes far less brain bleeds.


petey

ok, you can possibly scratch what I said last night about no side effects. I have had the worst heartburn since last night and I think it's from the pradaxa. Anybody else having this problem?

Kelly

I use to be on warfarin but I have been on Pradaxa for a year now and now side effects except gas, which I toolerate. My Cardiologist said I could take something like GasX but I have not tried that yet.
It's great not to have to go get blood test anymore. I have Tricare and I have a small copay.

... no stomach problems but if you do, my doctor recommended prevacid.

petey

When I was diagnosed w/Afib in Jan., I asked the doc to put me on Pradaxa instead of wafarin since my 90-year old mom had been switched to it for the last 3 yrs. with no problems. So far so good and no regular blood tests. This is first time I've had to take regular pills so I was scared but no adverse effects. I am 63 with no symptoms. Doc says forget the ablation for now.

Run8. Pradaxa is the least of your worries at your (our) age. People worry more about rhythm meds. What age did your Mom get afib?

I am asymptomatic also and was told no rush on the ablation. Are you in persistent afib?

Are you/have you ever been involved in endurance sports or have sleep apnea?

petey